The Scottish Policing-
Academic Centre of Excellence
Safety, Prevention, Analytics, Confidence and Ethics (SPACE) is a UKRI funded Centre of Excellence which builds on the Scottish Institute for Policing Research model. It is led by Edinburgh Napier University, the University of St Andrews, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Edinburgh.
Our vision is to support innovation in improving safety and preventing crime and harm by developing world-leading, evidence -based solutions to modern policing challenges.
- Safety
The safety theme draws in expertise on organisational development, focusing on: mitigating risk and trauma in police settings; online harms; organisational culture and stressors; and the utilisation of technology to support the well-being of police professionals.
- Prevention
Our prevention theme builds on a public health approach to policing, bringing together experts in preventing violence, terrorism and extremism, gender-based violence and protective security. This theme focuses on evidence-based approaches to preventing crime, risk and harm, such as substance harm, online mobilisation of violence, and child sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Analytics
The analytics theme will enhance prevention and safety by utilising expertise on data optimisation to improve operational practices and training; promoting ethical use of data and AI in areas of high priority policing needs (e.g. mental health distress); and developing processes to build public confidence around data driven and AI innovation.
SPACE focuses on key policing Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) to improve Safety, build Prevention, and maximise the use of Analytics in a manner that inspires Confidence and meets high Ethical standards
Core Team
Our Approach
We plan to work with a range of partners, including those who provided us with letters of support during the preparation of the bid. SPACE will use participatory approaches across themes to support a knowledge mobilisation process that anticipates and responds to current and emerging issues by: mapping current and future research needs through a co-creation process; mobilising knowledge from the SPACE academic networks; responding to emerging issues and translating research into practice.
The SPACE programme of work will be co-produced by academics and partners via in-person sandpits (to identify cross-cutting research priorities), theme meetings (online) and in-person workshops. Our approach to co-creation will be ethical, transparent and involve diverse stakeholders based on thematic focus.
Project Timelines
This is a three year UKRI funded Centre which will commence in September 2025 and complete in August 2028.
Governance
The SPACE Management Committee will comprise the Leadership Team, key representatives at Executive level from Police Scotland and other key policing partners (e.g NPCC, SPA). This will meet (online) biannually to monitor progress on SPACE activities, consider ARI priority areas, and make decisions on allocation of funds for grant calls. A panel will be established to review research applications.
An Advisory Group will meet (online) annually, bringing advise and guidance, critical reflection and peer feedback from international academic experts, senior representatives of policing organisations and other key stakeholders including public advocacy groups and innovations experts.